Purple Naupaka: A Treasured Native Hawaiian Shrub Worth Protecting
If you’re looking to add authentic Hawaiian character to your tropical garden while supporting native conservation efforts, purple naupaka (Scaevola mollis) deserves a spot on your must-grow list. This charming endemic shrub brings both beauty and ecological value to island landscapes, though it comes with an important conservation story every gardener should know.
What Makes Purple Naupaka Special
Purple naupaka is a perennial shrub that’s found exclusively in Hawaii, making it a true island treasure. Unlike its more common beach-dwelling cousin, this species has adapted to a variety of Hawaiian habitats and can grow quite impressively—typically reaching 13 to 16 feet in height with multiple stems creating a full, bushy appearance.
The plant gets its common name from its distinctive purple-blue fan-shaped flowers, which create a lovely contrast against the silvery-green foliage. It’s botanically known as Scaevola mollis, and you might occasionally see it listed under the synonym Scaevola procera var. pseudomollis in older references.
Where You’ll Find Purple Naupaka
This native Hawaiian shrub grows naturally throughout the Hawaiian Islands, where it has evolved to thrive in the unique island climate and soil conditions.
Important Conservation Note
Here’s something every potential grower should know: purple naupaka has a Global Conservation Status of S2S3, which indicates it faces some level of conservation concern. While this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t grow it, it does mean you should be thoughtful about sourcing. Always purchase plants from reputable nurseries that propagate from ethically collected seeds or cuttings, rather than wild-harvesting.
Why Grow Purple Naupaka
There are several compelling reasons to include this native shrub in your Hawaiian garden:
- Supports native Hawaiian ecosystems and provides habitat for local wildlife
- Extremely well-adapted to Hawaiian growing conditions
- Attractive purple-blue flowers add unique color to landscapes
- Excellent for coastal gardens due to natural salt tolerance
- Helps with erosion control on slopes
- Low-maintenance once established
- Attracts native Hawaiian pollinators
Growing Conditions and Care
Purple naupaka is surprisingly adaptable, which explains its facultative wetland status—meaning it can thrive in both wet and dry conditions. This flexibility makes it an excellent choice for various garden situations.
Ideal Growing Conditions:
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-12 (tropical and subtropical regions)
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-draining soil of various types
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but appreciates regular watering during establishment
- Salt tolerance: Excellent for coastal locations
Planting and Care Tips
Getting your purple naupaka off to a good start is fairly straightforward:
- Plant during Hawaii’s milder months when possible
- Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot
- Water regularly for the first few months while roots establish
- Once established, this shrub is quite drought tolerant
- Minimal pruning needed—just remove dead or damaged branches
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Design Ideas and Landscape Uses
Purple naupaka works beautifully in several landscape scenarios:
- Native Hawaiian gardens and restoration projects
- Coastal landscapes where salt spray is a concern
- Slope stabilization and erosion control
- Mixed shrub borders with other native Hawaiian plants
- Wildlife gardens designed to support native species
- Low-maintenance xerophytic landscapes
The Bottom Line
Purple naupaka offers Hawaiian gardeners a wonderful opportunity to grow something truly special—a plant that’s not only beautiful and low-maintenance but also plays an important role in preserving Hawaii’s unique botanical heritage. Just remember to source your plants responsibly and consider yourself a steward of this remarkable native species.
Whether you’re creating a native Hawaiian garden or simply want a resilient, attractive shrub for coastal conditions, purple naupaka delivers on both beauty and ecological value. It’s a plant that connects you directly to the natural history of the islands while providing years of low-maintenance garden enjoyment.
